MANSFIELD — For three years, Buckeye Bakery owner Chelsi Buck has been saving money to update the appearance of her business.
Last week while the bakery was closed, Archie Watson and Randy Brown completed renovations including new flooring, walls, ceiling and lighting upgrades to help brighten up the bakery and make it look more modern.
“I just wanted to have a storefront that matched our product,” Buck, the owner for the past 12 years, said. “Everybody downtown is upgrading, I saved up my money, and we said, ‘We’re doing it this year.’”
Each year, the bakers take a week-long vacation — usually coinciding with Independence Day because business is slow. Buck said the work which was completed during that week has brought not only her satisfaction, but customers as well.
“Oh wow,” said one customer as she walked in to get a glance at the updated shop. “It looks amazing; I can’t believe it.”
Another man walked in.
“Oh wow,” he exclaimed, taking a photo on his cell phone. “It’s like a new place, here.”
“I know, sometimes my crazy mind comes up with good stuff,” Buck jested back.
Buck said the store’s upgrades were purchased through out the year, making big purchases whenever she had a fiscally strong week.
“That way I wasn’t hit so hard with the cost,” she said. “I had a vision and it’s amazing. I’m super proud of it, and I hope other people appreciate it the way I do. It’s just — ‘Wow.’”
Her desire to make the storefront look more appealing included a redesign of the Bakery’s logo to include a ladybug attached to the stem of the large cursive “B” in honor of Buck’s mother, Cheryl.
“We redid the logo when my mom passed away,” Buck said. “She collected ladybugs, so we put one on our sign so she is always with us. We want her to be a part of what we have because she is the reason for what we have. Otherwise we wouldn’t have this.”
It’s no doubt Buck, with help from her brothers, Rody and Cody Phelps, is enjoying the new upgraded storefront. She said she is excited because the store looks more neat and open, and she hopes her customers appreciate it as well.
“I just wanted a modern, industrial — I just wanted it to look nice, and inviting,” the owner said. “I think it does.”
